New free beach will be developed at Római Part in Budapest – PHOTOS

On an ‘experimental’ basis, authorities temporarily allowed bathing at the Római Part (Roman Beach) on the bank of the Óbuda section of the Danube this summer. Previously, swimming was prohibited in the area, but many people fought for the ban to be lifted by the authorities. There are also people, who oppose the idea, as they think the quality of the water of the Danube is not suitable for bathing and that the stream of the river is unpredictable. After consideration, local MPs decided on 24 September to allow bathing.

According to Euronews, the representative body of Óbuda-Békásmegyer voted on the issue on September 24, and their decision was to allow bathing and establish a free beach on the Római Part (Roman Beach). Currently, it is not a proper ‘beach’, it is not really suitable for swimming, so a tender has been announced for the designing, building, and maintaining of the new free beach.

Some of the problems include issues with hygiene, as there are currently no public toilets in the area. There are no showers or sinks to properly wash your body and hand, and garbage disposal is also an issue. There are some garbage bins in the area, but it is not suitable for a large number of people, so waste removal needs to be upgraded.

The location is not set in stone yet either. According to the tender, the area this free beach could be built is between Piroska Street and the property with the topographical number 60002/2. Applicants can freely choose where exactly the beach will be established in that area.

The heyday of beach life at Római Part (Roman Beach) was in the middle and second half of the 20th century. Boathouses and piers swarmed the area, and people played a wide range of sports on the Danube, professionals and amateurs alike. At the weekend, the beach was full, and it was almost as popular as Lake Balaton. Unfortunately, after the end of Communism, the regime change brought with it privatisation, due to which confusing property relations developed. The resorts of several companies became neglected, and dozens of coastal properties were left to decay. The pedestrian path along the Danube was also neglected; only a thin, fragmented strip of asphalt alternating with dusty road sections remained to connect to the buffets, which are still busy today.

The atmosphere of Római Part (Roman Beach) is influenced by the narrow line of trees and the gravel banks which many people try to preserve from mass constructions.

The local government considered the establishment of a free beach at the request of the population, and it made its decision considering the needs of the present day and the local traditions of the area’s past.

However, there is a debate going on, as people’s opinions differ about whether the quality of the water and the rapid flow of the Danube allow for safe bathing. There is some basis to the concern, as sewage is spilt into the Danube in sections above Budapest, including Szentendre and Tahitótfalu.

That is why this season was only ‘experimental’. Researchers took water samples several times, and their analysis has been considered by the local government before making its decision. A free beach can only be established in places where the water quality is suitable for swimming.

Samples taken in the first half of 2020 at all four sites showed that the area is suitable for bathing.

Those who oppose the project argue that the stream of the Danube is erratic, and even though no pollution was detected, it can change overnight. They also claim that the Danube is a dangerous river even for professional swimmers, so the risk of accidents is too high. Critics, therefore, deem bathing at Római Part (Roman Beach), “amazingly irresponsible”.

However, at free beaches, the quality of the water needs to be frequently checked, so the water of the Danube at Római Part (Roman Beach) will be constantly monitored after the opening of the facility, and the presence of lifeguards is also obligatory.

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Source: hu.euronews.com